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Strength : Much More Than Muscle

Posted on Feb 5th, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn
True strength-training engages your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body - like the word, "strength" itself - it goes far beyond the purely physical.

To me, strength describes one's capacity - the capacity to make a difference, to change the world.

The synonyms for "strength" found in The Oxford Dictionary do an outstanding job framing the true meaning of "strength."
 
Here's what they said:

Strength : "power, might, force, robustness, toughness, durability, reliability, resistance, stamina, fortitude, backbone, tenacity, willpower, perseverance, persistence, concentration, intensity, potency."

Thinking about "strength" this way - tell me, where might your life benefit from greater strength?

Stay Strong,
Shawn
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Tagged with: force, persistence, perseverance, power, tenacity, willpower, Intensity, might, robustness, toughness, durability, reliability, resistance, stamina, fortitude, backbone, concentration, potency

Beyond Dumbbells

Posted on Feb 5th, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn
Over the last decade the number of people "weight training" has sky-rocketed - industry friendly surveys estimate that over 50 million American's engage in weight training regularly.

Great news...right? 

No, I think not.

In fact I believe it's a disaster - like dieting, "weight training" appeals superficially (to the ego) theoretically engaging the body while leaving the mind checked at the door and one's spirit tunneling for safety.

While I am encouraged by any positive fitness indicators, it's my contention that the vast majority of these well intentioned "weight trainers" are wasting precious time, doomed to drop the dumbbells, and walk away disillusioned sooner or later. When this happens, for many the door will close behind them, finally.

Why do I know that most think people will walk away from weight training eventually?

Because they are, by in large, doing precisely what they have come for - to "weight train." Sure, it's well intended but personally I've never felt the weights needed me to train them. They seemed solid enough to outlast me on this earth many times over - so call me selfish but I think the time and effort invested should benefit me.

This is why I am a devoted practitioner and proponent of strength training! It's what I write about, speak about, research, develop, enjoy and share... it's what I do. And it's not the same as weight training.

Simple semantics, you suggest?

No such thing I would argue.

Our words are very powerful - and in this case I believe they land with uncanny accuracy. Think about, or ask anyone who has practiced "weight training" and you will know that their primary focus was in fact, "to move the weight."

That's right. The fact is for most people who weight-train the focus of the effort is to move the weight from point A to point B. As a result they are missing the vast majority of benefits and most likely bored "out of their minds."

I'm very serious about this. Please, do some personal inquiry or ask around.

If you've seen my Blog on "strength is much more than muscle" you already get that "strength training" is not simply about moving heavy metal objects from A to B. For me, strength training is deeply enjoyable practice - one that engages my entire body, mind and spirit in present moment awareness. It's an integral, energetic dance which can help to build one's "true strength," from the inside-out.

It is my desire to share the enormous life-enhancing potential of strength training with the world - beginning with each and every person who has suffered through the arduous, discipline testing task of weight training.

If you've struggled to sustain a practice of weight training or have been running on reserves of discipline I invite you to explore an integral approach to strength training - check it out, it just may set you free.

Stay tuned.... I will share more about my "integral strength" practice.

In the interim check out this amazing talk between Ken Wilber and myself - as we discuss the practice I call "Focus Intensity Training." I am sure you will enjoy it.

In Strength,
Shawn
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Integral Strength : Part 2 is LIVE

Posted on Feb 20th, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn
For all of you who have been so patiently waiting, it's LIVE! 

O.K. Perhaps, one more with a little less enthusiasm (e.g. salesmanship):
  
If you're one of the millions (does that seem high?) who have been patiently waiting for some integral "muscle-head" to integrate the depth of yoga with the lineage of martial arts, it's your lucky day.

Focus Intensity Training, or as I convenieantly call it, F.I.T., is the practice for bringing depth, a flow-state to what is to many a shallow, egoic practice - weight training. 

Part 2 of my recent conversation with Mr. Ken (WIlber) is now live on IntegralNaked.org!

Tune in and catch me getting a lesson from the master on the potential of this I-I "gold star" practice, the 3-Body workout, as Ken calls it...I was inspired by his passion and commitment to strength-training. I can only imagine the level of intensity he could generate in the moment. 

Click here to listen to Shawn Phillips and Ken Wilber discuss the depth of mindful strength training.
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Collective Individualism : Kudos to ZAADZ

Posted on Feb 21st, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn
In addition to pushing weights around, now and then, I am an entrepreneur. Thus, I am a constant study of marketing and meme's... just love the authenticity of Mr. Seth Godin.

That brings me to today... I was reading an email from another marketing genius,  Roy H. Williams, and he just flat nailed it.

"...we're moving away from the vertical hero-worship of Idealism to
establish the horizontal links that mark an emerging Civic generation."


He went on to add this priceless gem:

He went on to add this priceless gem:
'Plastic posing bores us. We have no desire to hear another
 Miss America contestant talk about her dream of world peace.
Just once, wouldn't you like to hear the interviewer say, "And
how is walking around in high heels and a swimsuit going
to help bring about world peace?"'



I may be alone on this, and if so, that's fine... but I appreciate when people just flat SAY what I've been thinking in the oft-time private confines of my head. No editing.

I don't think he's right - I know he's right. And I beleive that ZAADZ is living, thriving, growing, evolving proof that "hype is dead" and that relationships, horizontal links is where we will find whatever it is we're looking for.

On that note, I leave you with, as Roy did in his email yesterday...  

Say it straight. Say it real. You'll do fine.

Say it straight. Say it real. You'll do fine.

Say it straight. Say it real. You'll do fine.
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Do have an “effective-disorder

Posted on Feb 21st, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn
In each and every moment of life you are either “acting upon” or being “acted upon.” Simply stated, you are either at cause or at effect. This is to say you are choosing strength in the moment or you are succumbing to weakness.

It is my contention that far too many people in this world suffer from an “effective-disorder.” That is, they live lives of weakness, at effect of circumstances.

You can recognize these poor people by their complaining and beliefs that they have been victimized by life – they act and therefore are helpless and unwilling to play an active role in shaping their own destiny.

To be at cause is a choice, one that you and every single person on earth can make. You’ve made that choice when you are leading, helping, caring, contributing, and simply making a positive difference for others in this world.

I have discovered that results in any fitness program depend almost entirely on your ability, willingness, and courage to be at cause. And furthermore, I believe that exercising mastery in the physical domain (however you define that) is a powerful proving (and growing) ground for ensuring that you are the author of your life experience. 

Listen to an AUDIO of this BLOG

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Tagged with: life, strength, weakness, effect, mastery, cause

Freedom from the Prison of Dieting

Posted on Feb 22nd, 2006 by Shawn : Integral Strength Shawn

Diets are the nutritional equivalent of day care (or prison for adults).

Based on an old, outdated model of human motivation featuring limitations, deprivation and pain, dieting focuses almost exclusively on what NOT to do, how not to eat. These are not the training grounds for emotionally mature adults who value freedom and mastery.


The antithesis of the restriction centered diet is the absolute freedom that results from a balance of wisdom and slef-mastery that makes "right eating" as natural and effortless as saying "Thank you," when someone opens a door for you.

This level of personal mastery, and positive relationship with food and our bodies does not arise from the archaic, imprisoned approach of dieting - as much as many may like you to believe it does.

Right eating is not something we have to force ourselves to do, it's in our nature to feed our bodies with the right balance of healthy nutrients - it's not a learning that is required but rather an unlearning (or better yet, relearning), replacing "bad" habits with habits/rituals that support our best self and free us from an addictive relationship with food.


When you reconnect with your inner strength and natural intent to eat great, when you refuse to be a follower of the fad and reject the term "diet" all together you're not only supporting your freedom but helping to bring an end to dieting forever.

FYI : This is a post from my other BLOG. I am in the process of moving to one, set home for BLOG. Thank you for your patience as I find my way.  

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